Utensils, including forks with movable components, and associated systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Utensils, including forks, with movable components, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative utensil includes a first tool carried by and movable relative to a first arm portion, a second tool carried by and movable relative to a second arm portion, and a hinge coupling the first and second arm portions. A guide structure is coupled to the first and second arm portions to guide motion of at least one of the first and second tools relative to the other

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to pending U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/566,615, filed on Oct. 2, 2017 and incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology is directed generally to utensils, includingforks, with movable components, and associated systems and methods.

BACKGROUND

Common dining utensils, such as forks and spoons, have been in use forcenturies, if not millennia. A drawback with some existing utensils isthat they are typically single-purpose, and therefore have limitedapplications. Another potential drawback is that such utensils may bedifficult to use for people with disabilities, such as blindness and/orhand tremors. Accordingly, there remains a need for improved diningutensils.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a partially schematic, partial cross-sectional illustrationof a representative utensil having two movable fork portions inaccordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 1B is a partially schematic, partial cross-sectional illustrationof a portion of the utensil shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a partially schematic, cross-sectional illustration of theutensil shown FIG. 1A, with the fork portions moved together, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 1D is a partially schematic illustration of a utensil having asimplified construction, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent technology.

FIG. 1E is a partially schematic illustration of a representativeutensil having two movable fork portions and a guide configured inaccordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

FIGS. 1F and 1G are partially schematic, cross-sectional illustrationsof the guide shown in FIG. 1E, shown in a secured position (FIG. 1F) anda released position (FIG. 1G), in accordance with embodiments of thepresent technology.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a configuration for pivoting portions of autensil, in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 2D is a partially schematic illustration of a utensil having aguide with a guide slot configured in accordance with embodiments of thepresent technology.

FIG. 2E is a partially schematic illustration of a representative guideof the type shown in FIG. 2D.

FIG. 2F is a partially schematic, cross-sectional illustration of theguide shown in FIG. 2E.

FIG. 3 is a partially schematic illustration of a guide for controllingthe pivoting motion of a utensil in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present technology.

FIG. 4 is a partially schematic illustration of an arrangement forguiding the pivoting motion of a utensil in accordance with someembodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 5 is a partially schematic illustration of a utensil having movablefork and spatula portions, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent technology.

FIG. 6A is a partially schematic, cross-sectional illustration of autensil having a spoon portion and a movable cover portion, configuredin accordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 6B is a partially schematic, cross-sectional illustration of autensil having a spoon portion and retractable cover portions configuredin accordance with some embodiments of the present technology.

FIGS. 6C-6E are partially schematic illustrations of utensils havingconfigurations in accordance with some embodiments of the presenttechnology.

The foregoing Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, for purposesof illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present technology is directed generally toward utensils, includingforks, with movable components, and associated systems and methods. Insome embodiments, utensils configured in accordance with the presenttechnology can aid users with disabilities, for example, blind users,and/or users with hand tremors. In some embodiments, utensils configuredin accordance with the present technology can provide multiplefunctions, within, or outside the context of dining. Accordingly,utensils configured in accordance with such embodiments can provideexpanded utility, not associated with conventional utensils.

Several details describing structures or processes that are well-knownand often associated with utensils and associated methods of manufactureand/or use, but that may unnecessarily obscure some significant aspectsof the present technology, are not set forth in the followingdescription for purposes of clarity. Moreover, although the followingdisclosure sets forth some embodiments of the technology, someembodiments can have different configurations or different componentsthan those described in this section, without departing from the scopeof the present technology. As such, the present technology may haveother embodiments with additional elements, and/or without several ofthe elements described below with reference to FIGS. 1A-6E.

In several of the representative arrangements described below, theutensil can include two arms or arm portions that are movably connectedto each other, e.g., with an axle pivot and/or another hinge, with orwithout a spring. In some embodiments, the arms are biased away fromeach other, and the user can squeeze them together during use. Each armcan include a tool, for example, a fork or portion of a fork, a spoon, acover, a spatula, and/or another suitable device. The utensil canfurther include a latch or detent arrangement that allows the user toeasily move back and forth between or among pre-selected positions. Thetools can be interchangeable, allowing the user to select thecombination of tools most suitable to a particular user and/or task theuser wishes to complete. Accordingly, the various combinations of theforegoing elements can provide simpler and/or more versatile utensils.

FIG. 1A is a partially schematic, partial cross-sectional illustrationof a utensil 100 configured in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent technology. The utensil 100 can include a first tool 130 coupledto a second tool 140, so that one or both of the tools 130, 140 aremovable relative to the other. In a particular example, the first tool130 includes a first fork portion 131 having first fork tines 132, andthe second tool 140 includes a second fork portion 141 having secondfork tines 142. The tines 141, 142 and/or other portions of the firstand second tools 130, 140 can include ridges and/or other features toincrease stiffness. These features can be located on the rear surfacesof the tools 130, 140. The tines 141, 142 can be curved into/out of theplane of FIG. 1A in the manner of a conventional fork The first andsecond tools 130, 140 are carried by corresponding first and second armportions 110, 120. The arm portions 110, 120 can be connected by a hinge150 that facilitates relative rotational motion of the arm portions 110,120, as indicated by arrow A. The hinge 150 can operate as a springand/or can include a spring, e.g., so as to bias the arm portions 110,120 away from each other to the position show in FIG. 1A (e.g., adefault position), in addition to facilitating arcuate or angular motionof one arm portion relative to the other. As described later withreference to FIGS. 2A-2C, in some embodiments, these two functions canbe separated via a pivot pin or axle, and a separate spring. In eitherof the foregoing examples, the user can squeeze the arm portions 110,120 toward each other to form a more conventional-looking fork, asdescribed further below with reference to FIG. 1C.

With continued reference to FIG. 1A, the first tool 130 can include afirst handle portion 133, and the second tool 140 can include a secondhandle portion 143. Each of the handle portions 133, 143 is attached toits corresponding arm portion 110, 120, and, in some embodiments, thehandle portions 133, 143 are removably attached to the corresponding armportions 110, 120. For example, each handle portion 133, 143 can includeone or more detent arms 161 having a free end 163 that slides alongcorresponding axial motion detents 162. The axial motion detents 162 caninclude external threads, or other protrusions that interface with thefree ends 163 of the detent arms 161. The detent arms 161 can be biasedinwardly toward the associated arm portion 110, 120 so as to engage withthe axial motion detents 162. To remove the tools 130, 140 from thecorresponding arm portions 110, 120, the user slides the tools towardthe left (as indicated by arrow B in the view shown in FIG. 1A) todisengage the detent arms 161 from the corresponding axial motiondetents 162. To connect or re-connect a tool, the user slides the toolin the opposite direction, as indicated by arrow C. The user can alsoadjust the relative axial positions of the first tool 130 and/or thesecond tool 140 by sliding one or both tools axially, as indicated byarrows B and C, without removing the tool(s). While the axial motiondetents 162 are illustrated in FIG. 1A as extending over a relativelysmall portion of the entire length of the arm portions 110, 120, theaxial motion detents 162 can in at least some implementations, extendover nearly the entire length of the arm portion 110, 120, thus allowingthe user to position the corresponding tool 130, 140, at any of agreater variety of axial positions. In this case, the interior openingin the arm portions 110, 120 can be smooth-walled and large enough toaccommodate the axial motion detents 162. During a typical use, both thefirst and second tools 130, 140 will have the same axial position. Asdescribed later with reference to FIGS. 5-6B, the ability to move thetools axially and/or arcuately or radially relative to each other canprovide additional benefits.

In some embodiments, the utensil 100 can have different arrangements formoveably/removably securing the tools 130, 140 to the corresponding armsportions 110, 120. For example, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 1B,in some embodiments, the first and second arm portions 110, 120 can eachinclude external threads 113 that threadably engage with correspondinginternal threads 134 carried by the corresponding handle portions 133,143. Accordingly, the user can swap out the first and second tools 130,140 (FIG. 1A) for other tools having other configurations by unscrewingthe first tool 130 and/or the second tool 140 from the corresponding armportion 110, 120 and replacing the removed tool with a different tool.The now-open internal passage 137 of the tool 130, 140 can be cleaned,with cleaning vents 111 allowing the user to insert a cleaning tool,and/or a cleaning solution to enter and/or exit the internal passage. Ifdesired, the user can also twist either or both of the tools 130, 140relative to each other, as indicated by arrow D, e.g., to align thetines 132, 142 (FIG. 1A) to face toward each other, rather than to beside by side (as is shown in FIG. 1A). The threads 134 can be used toremove/replace one or both of the tools 130, 140 and/or to adjust theaxial positions of one or both tools 130, 140. Other suitablearrangements for relative axial motion are described above, and laterwith reference to FIGS. 5-6E. Such arrangements may be easier for theuser to implement because they do not require rotating the tool(s) tochange the axial position of the tool(s).

With continued reference to FIG. 1A, the first and second tools 130, 140can also move arcuately relative to each other, as indicated by arrow A.In some embodiments, the utensil 100 can include a guide 160 that guidesthe arcuate motion. For example, the guide 160 can include one or morearcuate motion detents 164 arranged generally along an arc. In anembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, the utensil 110 includes threearcuate motion detents 164, indicated by a reference numerals 164 a, 164b, and 164 c. The arcuate motion detents 164 can have the form of bumpsor other protrusions extending upwardly from the plane of FIG. 1A, orthe detents 164 can have other suitable arrangements. In operation, theuser moves the first arm portion 110 toward and away from the second armportion 120, over the protruding arcuate motion detents 164, to positionthe arm portions 110, 120 in a desired relative location. If the hinge150 is configured to bias the first arm portion 110 to the positionshown in FIG. 1A, the arcuate motion detents 164 provide enoughresistance to keep the first arm portion 110 in any of the otheravailable positions, while not providing so much resistance that theuser has difficulty moving the first arm portion 110 relative to thesecond arm portion 120 over the arcuate motion detents 164.

FIG. 1C illustrates the utensil 100 with the first arm portion 110 movedfrom a position in which it is between the first and second arcuatedetents 164 a, 164 b (FIG. 1A), to position in which it is inside thefirst arcuate motion detent 164 a. In this position, the utensil 100 hasa conventional fork configuration, with the exception of a gap 112 thatextends between the two arm portions 110, 120 and between the firsttines 132 and second tines 142. If desired, the user can further pivotthe first and/or second tools 110, 120 toward each other, as indicatedby arrows E, so that the tips of the two innermost tines 132 a, 142 amove toward each other and, optionally, touch each other. The innerfacing surfaces of the innermost tines 132 a, 142 a can accordingly beflat, and can optionally include scoring and/or other features toenhance the grip between the tines and the object to be picked up. Anadvantage of this configuration is that the user can use the utensil 100in the manner of a pair of tweezers to pick up small items, such as fishbones, a grain of rice, and/or or other items that may be difficult tohandle with a conventional fork.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the representative utensilscan be formed from any of a variety of suitable materials. For example,the utensils can be formed from metal, hard plastics, and/or othermaterials suitable for multiple uses over a long period of time. In someembodiments, the utensil can be formed from more inexpensive plastics,or biodegradable or other disposable materials, for example, forsingle-use applications. Accordingly, the utensils can be deliberatelyconstructed for single-use or short-term use, or the utensils can beconfigured for long-term use.

FIG. 1D illustrates a representative utensil 100 having a simplifiedconfiguration that may be particularly suitable for single-useapplications. Accordingly, the tools 130, 140, the first and second armportions 110, 120, and the hinge 150 can all be formed integrally toprovide a one-piece construction. The guide 160 can also be formedintegrally with the foregoing components, and can have the form of aclip or latch 178 that extends from the second arm portion 120 over thefirst arm portion 110, and can include one or more downwardly extendingdetents 164 to control the relative positions of the first and secondarm portions 110, 120. While the utensil 100 is illustrated with twofork tools 130, 140, in another embodiments the utensil 100 can includeother types of tools, as described further below. The arm portions 110,120 can have any suitable cross-sectional shape (e.g., circular,rounded, square, rectangular), selected based on user comfort,manufacturability, and/or other factors.

FIG. 1E is a partially schematic illustration of a representativeutensil 100 that includes a first tool 130 and a second tool 140, eachof which has a fork-type configuration, generally as discussed above.The first tool 130 can be carried by a first arm portion 110, and thesecond tool 140 can be carried by a second arm portion 120, with botharm portions 110, 120, connected via an integral or otherwise formedhinge 150 to allow arcuate motion of one arm relative to the other.Accordingly, the foregoing portions of the utensil 100 can be formedfrom a single piece of material. The hinge 150 can bias the arm portions110, 120 outwardly, e.g., to 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30° or 35°. The arcuatemotion can be controlled by a guide 160 a, which can be attached to, orintegrally formed with, the rest of the utensil 100. In a representativeembodiment, the guide 160 a is connected to the second arm portion 120and can be configured to selectively limit or not limit the motion ofthe first arm portion 110 relative to the second arm portion 120.

FIG. 1F is a partially schematic, cross-sectional view of arepresentative guide 160 a, taken substantially along line 1F-1F of FIG.1E. As shown in FIG. 1F, the guide 160 a can have a partially enclosed,generally U- or C-type configuration, with the second arm portion 120positioned toward the inside of the partially enclosed region, where itis connected to the guide 160 a. The first arm portion 110 is positionedtoward an openable end of the partially enclosed region. The guide 160 acan include a retainer 159 that, in the position shown in FIG. 1F,constrains the motion of the first arm portion 110 to move toward andaway from the second arm portion 120 in the region bounded by theretainer 159 and the second arm portion 120, as indicated by arrow A1.The retainer 159 can be carried by a retainer arm 156 so as to bend orotherwise move away from the motion path of the first arm 110, asdescribed further below with reference to FIG. 1G. The retainer 159 caninclude a stop surface 158 that restricts the motion of the first armportion 110, and a guide surface 157 that facilitates the first armportion 110 re-entering the space bounded by the retainer 159 and thesecond arm portion 120, as is also described below with reference toFIG. 1G.

In FIG. 1G, a user has pushed the retainer 159 away, as indicated byarrow P, thus allowing the first arm portion 110 to move toward and awayfrom the second arm portion 120, with a greater degree of freedom thanin the configuration shown in FIG. 1F, as indicated by arrow A. Once thefirst arm portion 110 has been moved outside the region bounded by theretainer 159 and the second arm portion 120, the user can release theretainer 159, with the first arm portion 110 positioned outside, ratherthan inside the retainer 159. The user can operate the first arm portion110 in this configuration until the user wishes to return to theconfiguration shown in FIG. 1F. In that case, the user moves the firstarm portion 110 toward the second arm portion 120, so that it slidesover the guide surface 157 and latches into position within or againstthe stop surface 158.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate another arrangement for controlling the arcuatemotion of representative utensils, in accordance with some embodimentsof the present technology. FIG. 2A illustrates a representative firstarm portion 210 having (or attached to) a first portion 260 a of a guide260. The first portion 260 a has upwardly-facing detents 264, includingfirst and second upwardly-facing detents 264 a, 264 b. For purposes ofillustration, the upwardly-facing detents 264 are shown with hatching inFIGS. 2A-2C. A pivot aperture 265 is provided to pivotably couple thefirst arm portion 210 to a second arm portion 220, described below.

In FIG. 2B, the second arm portion 220, which has a corresponding secondportion 260 b of the guide structure 260 (with downwardly-facing detents267), is placed over the first arm portion 220 and attached via a pivotpin 266. The first and second portions 260 a, 260 b can be generallyflat and disc-shaped with enough face-to-face contact area to restrictor eliminate wobble. The second arm portion 220 can be sized and shapedidentically to the first arm portion 210 in some embodiments, for easeof manufacturing. For purposes of illustration, the downwardly-facingdetents 267 are shown with stippling in FIGS. 2B-2C. In thisconfiguration, the downwardly-facing detents 267 of the second armportion 220 alternate with the upwardly-facing detents 264 of the firstarm portion 220. Accordingly, the first upwardly-facing detent 264 a isbetween first and second downwardly-facing detents 267 a, 267 b, and thesecond upwardly-facing detent 264 b is between the seconddownwardly-facing detent 267 b and a third downwardly-facing detent 267c.

Each of the arm portions 210, 220 can include a spring aperture 251. Aspring 252 can be inserted into the spring aperture 251 and can bias thefirst and second arm portions 210, 220 away from each other, with theinterfaces between the downwardly-facing detents 267 and theupwardly-facing detents 264 resisting the outward force provided by thespring 252.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 2B, the first upwardly-facing detent264 a is between the first and second downwardly-facing detent 267 a,267 b. When the first arm portion 210 is rotated counterclockwise, asindicated by arrow F, relative to the second arm portion 220, therelative positions of the downwardly-facing detents 267 and theupwardly-facing detents 264 changes, as shown in FIG. 2C. In particular,the first upwardly-facing detent 264 a has now shifted so that it isbetween the second and third downwardly-facing detents 267 b, 267 c. Themaximum extent of the motion described above may be controlled bycorresponding stop surfaces 268 a, 268 b of the arm portions 210, 220 soas to prevent the arm portions from over-rotating relative to eachother. The detents 264, 267 can be arranged to releasably hold the firstand second arm portions 210, 220 at any suitable number of positionsbetween a fully closed position and a fully opened position.

The arrangement described above with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C can beimplemented with any of a variety of suitable tools, for example, theforks described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1D, and/or the toolsdescribed further below with reference to FIGS. 5-6E. The arm portions210, 220 can transition from a generally rectangular cross section atthe first and second portions 260 a, 260 b of the guide 260, to anon-rectangular cross-section (e.g., a round cross-section, tofacilitate the threaded attachment described above with reference toFIG. 1C).

FIGS. 2D-2F illustrate another representative utensil 100 having a guide260 configured in accordance with further embodiments of the presenttechnology. As shown in FIG. 2D, the utensil 100 can include a first armportion 210 and a second arm portion 220 that have an overlappingarrangement, generally similar to that described above with reference toFIGS. 2A-2C. The two arm portions 210, 220 can be pivotably connected toeach other via a pivot pin 266, and can pivot up to 10°, up to 15°, upto 20°, up to 25°, up to 30°, or up to 35°, depending upon theembodiment . Each arm portion 210, 220 can include a correspondingspring aperture 251 into which a spring 252 fits, so as to bias the twoarm portions away from each other in a pivoting manner. The springaperture can include a slot in both the first and second arm portionsthat captures the spring 252 and terminates in holes at each end to helpsecure the spring 252.

The guide structure 260 can include a first guide portion 260 c thatoperates generally in the manner described above with reference to thetwo guide portions 260 a, 26 b shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, and a second guideportion 260 d that operates in a manner somewhat similar to thatdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 1E-1F. In a particular aspect ofthis embodiment, the second guide portion 260 d includes a guide body281 that slides relative to both the first arm portion 210 and thesecond arm portion 220, as indicated by arrow G. The upward motion ofthe second guide portion 260 d (as viewed in FIG. 2D) is constrained bya guide stop 284 carried by the first arm portion 210. The downwardmotion of the second guide portion 260 b is constrained by a guide pin283, carried by the second arm portion 220.

The guide body 281 includes a guide slot 282 having a first slot portion282 a and a second slot portion 282 b, with the second slot portion 282b being narrower than the first slot portion 282 a. When the guide body281 is positioned above the guide pin 283 (as shown in FIG. 2D), thesecond guide portion 260 d does not constrain the motion of the secondarm portion 220 relative to the first arm portion 210. Instead, thatmotion is constrained by the first guide portion 260 c, generally in themanner described above with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C. When the guidebody 281 is moved downwardly over the guide pin 283, the guide body 281controls the rotational motion of the second arm portion 220 relative tothe first arm portion 210 in a manner that depends upon whether theguide pin 283 is positioned within the first slot portion 282 a or thesecond slot portion 282 b, as described further below with reference toFIGS. 2E and 2F.

FIG. 2E is a partially schematic, plan view of the second guide portion260 d, and FIG. 2F is a partially schematic, cross-sectionalillustration of the second guide portion 260 d, taken substantiallyalong line 2F-2F of FIG. 2E. Referring to FIGS. 2E and 2F together, theguide body 281 includes a first arm channel 285 a in which the first armportion 210 is received, and a second arm channel 285 b in which thesecond arm portion 220 is received. The cross-sectional shape of thefirst arm channel 285 a can be configured to allow the guide body 281 toslide over the first arm portion 210. In some embodiments, the fitbetween the first arm portion 210 and the first arm channel 285 a issnug. Accordingly, the user can slide the guide body 281 to a desiredposition, and it will stay in that position until the user moves itagain. The second arm channel 285 b can be open-ended and large enoughto allow the guide body 281 to slide over the second arm portion 220,e.g., via a snug fit that requires deliberate force on the part of theuser, as discussed above. Referring now to FIG. 2E, when the guide pin283 (which is carried by the second arm portion 220) is in a firstposition P1, the second arm 220 can move toward and away from the firstarm 210 a, unencumbered by the guide body 281, as indicated by arrow A.When the guide pin 283 has a second position P2, it can move back andforth within the constrained space of the first slot portion 282 a, asindicated by arrow K. When the guide pin 283 has a third position P3 (inthe second slot portion 282 b), the second arm portion 220 is generallyfixed relative to the first arm portion 210. Accordingly, the user canselect the first position P1 for maximum motion, or the second positionP2 for constrained motion (e.g., like a pair of tweezers), or the thirdposition P3 for no motion (e.g., like a standard fork).

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates another arrangement for guiding thearcuate motion of the arm portions, in accordance with some embodimentsof the present technology. In one aspect of an embodiment shown in FIG.3, a guide 360 includes guide walls 369 (e.g., extending upwardly fromthe plane of FIG. 3) forming a slot 370 therebetween. The slot 370includes multiple detent apertures 372, and the guide walls 369 anddetent apertures 372 can be carried by the second arm portion 220. Thefirst arm portion 210 can carry a guide rod 371 having a detentprojection 373 that faces downwardly toward the detent apertures 372. Asthe user moves the first arm portion 210 relative to the second armportion 220, the guide rod 371 moves the detent projection 373 from onedetent aperture 372 to another. The stop surfaces 268 a, 268 b can limitthe rotational motion of the arm portions relative to each other, asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 2C.

FIG. 4 illustrate a guide 460 configured in accordance with someembodiments of the present technology, and which includes a housing orcover 474 extending over and under the first arm portion 210 and thesecond arm portion 220 (e.g., above and below the plane of FIG. 4).Accordingly, the arm portions 210, 220 fit inside the cover 474. Theupper portion of the cover 474 can include multiple downwardly-extendingcover detents 475, and the first arm portion 210 can include one or moreupwardly-extending arm detents 476 (one is shown in FIG. 4). As the usermoves the first arm portion 210 relative to the second arm portion 220,the arm detent 476 successively engages with different cover detents 475to temporarily secure the second arm portion 220 relative to the firstarm portion 210 in any of several possible positions. The cover detents475 and arm detent 476 can resist the outwardly biasing force of thespring 252, while not providing so much resistance as to interfere withthe user's deliberate motions to move one arm portion relative to theother. The cover 474 can be used in combination with any of the utensilsdescribed herein.

In some embodiments, the arm portions can move axially relative to eachother, in addition to moving arcuately relative to each other. Forexample, FIG. 5 illustrates a utensil 500 having a first tool 530 thatcan include a spatula 535, and a second tool 540 that can include a fork543. Accordingly, the utensil 500 can operate in the manner of abarbeque fork and spatula, and/or can operate as an eating utensil withadded stability not available with conventional eating utensils. Thespatula 535 can flex, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 5. The first tool530 can include a first handle portion 533 a, and the second tool 540can include a second handle portion 533 b. The handle portions areattached to corresponding arm portions 510, 520, and at least one of thehandle portions can move axially relative to the other, as indicated byarrow Q. For example, the first handle portion 533 a can include ahandle detent 575, e.g., one or more spring-biased extensions thatengage with corresponding arm detents 576 having the form of outwardlyextending protrusions, generally similar to the arrangement describedabove with reference to FIG. 1A. The user can slide the first tool 530axially relative to the second tool 540, with the detents 575, 576resisting the motion to provide the user with suitable control over theaxial movement. In operation, the user can grasp food between the firsttool 530 and the second tool 540 and then slide or retract the firsttool 530 to eat the food. This arrangement can stabilize the food on theutensil 500, which can be particularly beneficial to users having handtremors or other disabilities that make it difficult to control themotion of the utensil and keep the food on the utensil. In someembodiments, the utensil 500 can include a spring between the armportions 510, 520 (e.g., as shown and described above with reference toFIGS. 1A, 2B and 2C), to help release the tool when the user relaxes theforce he or she provides to bias the arm portions 510, 520 toward eachother.

Embodiments of the technology described above with reference to FIG. 5allow the user to stabilize food on a fork. In other embodiments, asimilar approach can be used to stabilize food in a spoon. For example,referring now to FIG. 6A, a utensil 600 a can include a first tool 630(e.g., a cover 636) coupled to a second tool 640 (e.g., a spoon 644).The first tool 630 can include a first handle portion 633 a connected toa corresponding first arm portion 610, and pivotally connected to thecover 636 at a pivot joint 677. The second tool 640 can include a secondhandle portion 633 b connected to a second arm portion 620. Inoperation, the user scoops liquid into the spoon 644 and slides thecover 636 over the spoon 644, e.g., before or as the user brings theutensil 600 a toward his or her mouth. The cover 639 can provide anair-tight (or liquid-tight) seal with the perimeter of the spoon 644 toreduce or eliminate spills. Once the user has stabilized the utensil 600a at or within the user's mouth, the user can slide the cover 636, asindicated by arrow S to expose the spoon 644 and sip, tip, or suck thecontents of the spoon 644 into his or her mouth. The pivot joint 677 caninclude a biasing element (e.g., a coil spring or other spring 652) thatbiases the cover 636 toward the spoon 644. As the user slides the cover636 upwardly and to the right, as indicated by arrow S, the cover 636can pivot downwardly to continue covering the contents of the spoon 644as the user removes the contents of the spoon 644.

FIG. 6B illustrates a utensil 600 b having a cover 636 without the pivotjoint 677 described above. Instead, the cover 636 can be rigidlyattached to the first handle portion 633 a and can slide linearly backand forth as indicated by arrow L. An expected advantage of thisconfiguration is that it may be simpler to implement than theconfiguration shown in FIG. 6A. Conversely, an advantage of thearrangement shown in FIG. 6A is that it may more securely cover thecontents of the spoon 644 as the user eats.

FIG. 6C is a partially schematic, partial cross-sectional illustrationof a tool 600 c configured in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent technology. The utensil 600 c can include a first arm portion610, second arm portion 620, and hinge 650 configured to bias the armportions relative to each other. The second arm portion 620 can supporta spoon 644, and the first arm portion 610 can support a cover 636. Thecover 636 can move relative to the spoon 644 in accordance with one ormore of three modalities, all of which are shown together in FIG. 6C. Inthe first modality, the cover 636 is connected via a pivot 677 to acorresponding first handle portion 633 a. The first handle portion 633 acarries a knob 679 connected via a lever 680 to the cover 636. The knob679 can slide back and forth relative to the first handle portion 633 a,as indicated by arrow H. As shown in solid lines in FIG. 6C, the cover636 is in a closed position. When the knob 679 is moved to the right, itpulls the lever 680, raising the cover 636, as shown in dashed lines.

In a second modality, the combined cover 636 and first handle portion633 a can slide over the first arm portion 610 to the right, asindicated by arrow M to uncover the spoon 644. The cross section of thefirst handle portion 633 a can be rectangular, as can the cross sectionof the first arm portion 610, to limit rotation of these componentsrelative to each other. The user can slide the first handle portion 633a using the same or a different knob as is used to pivot the cover 636.The utensil 600 a can include a stop 668 to limit the linear motion ofthe cover 636 and the first handle portion 633 a when these two elementsare moved as a unit to uncover the spoon 644.

In a third modality, the cover 636, the first handle portion 633 a, andthe first arm portion 610 can be pivoted as a unit upwardly and awayfrom the spoon 644, as indicated by arrow N, under the biasing force ofthe spring portion 650.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the utensil 600 c can include guidemechanisms, stop mechanisms, and/or other features described earlier inthe present disclosure. A particular utensil can be configured tooperate in accordance with any one or more of the three motionmodalities described above.

In other embodiments, a generally similar arrangement can be used tocontrol the motion of different tools. For example, FIG. 6D illustratesa second arm portion 620 carrying a fork 645, and a first arm portion610 carrying a cover 636 that is shaped to overlie the outer two tinesof the fork 645. The cover 636 can be coupled to the first arm portion610 or a corresponding handle via pivot 677 to rotate upwardly out ofthe plane of FIG. 6D. The utensil 600 d can include any one or more ofthe motion features described above with reference to FIG. 6C or thepreviously described arrangements.

FIG. 6E illustrates still another utensil 600 e in which the first tool630 includes a fork 631, and the second tool 630 includes a spatula 635.Again, the first tool 630 and the second tool 640 can include anysuitable arrangement for relative movement between these componentsdiscussed above with reference to FIGS. 1A-6C. For example, the fork 631can slide axially relative to the spatula 640, and/or can pivot relativeto the spatula 640. The spatula 640 can also slide axially and/or pivotrelative to the fork 631.

Several of the arrangements described above can provide the user withone or more of multiple advantages, when compared with conventionalutensils. For example, utensils having two fork tools can function as aconventional fork, or can function like chopsticks or tweezers. Inanother mode of operation, the two spaced-apart fork tools can be placedon opposite sides of the food, and then brought together to force thefood onto the now-wider fork. This can eliminate the need for the userto employ a finger or a knife to push the food onto the utensil, and canhave particular applicability to small or lightweight or spherical food,such as a grape or a cherry.

In still another mode of operation, one or both of the fork tools 131,141 shown in FIG. 1A can be rotate 90° relative to the plane of FIG. 1Ato operate as a clamp to hold the food on or against the opposing tool.When the utensil includes a spatula, the spatula can be used to hold orstabilize the food on the fork portion of the utensil.

Another of the features described above is that some embodiments of theutensil can include replaceable tools. Accordingly, the user can easilychange the tools described above, and/or can use any suitablecombination of the tools described above to achieve a particularpurpose. Accordingly, for example, users having particular physicalcapabilities and/or limitations can choose the combination of tools thatbest suits them.

Still another feature of several embodiments described above is that theutensil can include a cover or a grasping element that moves relative toanother portion of the utensil (e.g., a fork or spoon portion). Thisarrangement can stabilize the food, and can be particularly effectivefor users with tremors or other movement disorders.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that representativeembodiments of the present technology have been described herein forpurposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be madewithout deviating from the present technology. For example, the specificdetails of the guide structures, spring structures, and other elementsmay be different in some embodiments. As another example, the pivotjoint 677 shown in FIG. 6A can be at or within the perimeter of thespoon 644, rather than outside the perimeter. Elements shown anddescribed as separable in some embodiments may be formed integrally witheach other in some other embodiments. For example, the arm portions canbe formed integrally with the tool portions and/or the hinge, and/or thespring. In general, the foregoing components described above withreference to FIGS. 1A-6B can be formed from suitable metals, plastics,and/or other suitable materials. The relative positions of the variousdetent elements can be reversed in some embodiments. In someembodiments, the arm portions are biased away from each other (e.g., inan embodiment shown in FIG. 1A). In some embodiments, the arm portionscan be biased toward each other, e.g., to bias the lid, cover or otheroverlying tool into its closed portion. For example, the hinge 250 shownin FIG. 2B, and/or the hinge 650 shown in FIG. 6C can have a spring-typefunction (or can include a separate spring) to bias the correspondingtools toward each other, which can have particular utility for users whohave hand tremors, as this bias direction can help keep the food inplace as the user moves the food to his/her mouth.

Certain aspects of the technology described in the context of someembodiments may be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. Forexample, the configuration shown in FIG. 5 can include any of thearcuate control arrangements and devices described elsewhere in thepresent disclosure. In some embodiments, one or more of the tools movesaxially (for removal/replacement and/or for use), and in someembodiments, one or more of the tools can have a fixed axial position.Further, while advantages associated with embodiments of the technologyhave been described in the context of those embodiments, otherembodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodimentsneed necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of thepresent technology. Accordingly, the present disclosure and associatedtechnology can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown ordescribed herein.

As used herein, the term “and/or” as in “A and/or B” refers to A alone,B alone and both A and B. To the extent any materials incorporatedherein by reference conflict with the present disclosure, the presentdisclosure controls.

The following examples provide still further illustrativeconfigurations.

1. An eating utensil, comprising:

a first tool carried by and movable relative to a first arm portion;

a second tool carried by and movable relative to a second arm portion;

a hinge coupling the first and second arm portions; and

-   -   a guide structure coupled to the first and second arm portions        to guide motion of at least one of the first and second tools        relative to the other.

2. The utensil of example 1 wherein the first tool includes a firstportion of a fork, and wherein the second tool includes a second portionof a fork.

3. The utensil of example 2 wherein the first and second arm portionsare movable relative to each other about the hinge through an angularrange, and wherein the angular range includes a position in which a tipof an innermost tine of the first portion of the fork portion contacts atip of an innermost tine of the second portion of the fork.

4. The utensil of example 1 wherein the first and second tools aredifferent.

5. The utensil of example 4 wherein the first tool includes a spatulaand the second tool includes a fork.

6. The utensil of example 4 wherein the first tool includes a cover andthe second tool includes a spoon.

7. The utensil of example 1 wherein at least one of the first tool andthe second tool is retractable along the corresponding one of the firstarm portion and the second arm portion.

8. The utensil of example 1 wherein at least one of the first tool andthe second tool is removable from the corresponding one of the first armportion and the second arm portion.

9. The utensil of example 1 wherein at least one of the first tool andthe second tool is rotatable relative to the corresponding one of thefirst arm portion and the second arm portion.

10. The utensil of example 1 wherein an axial position of at least oneof the first tool and the second tool is adjustable relative to thecorresponding one of the first arm portion and the second arm portion.

11. The utensil of example 1 wherein the first and second arm portionsare identical.

12. The utensil of example 1 wherein the guide structure is positionedto restrict angular motion of at least one of the first and second armsportions relative to the other.

13. The utensil of example 1 wherein the guide structure includes alatch carried by one of the first and second arm portions and movabletoward and away from the other of the first and second arm portions.

14. The utensil of example 1 wherein the hinge includes a pivot pin.

15. The utensil of example 1 wherein the hinge is integral with thefirst and second arm portions.

16. An eating utensil, comprising:

a first fork portion having a first set of tines;

a first arm portion carrying the first fork portion, with the first forkportion movable relative to the first arm portion and removable from thefirst arm portion;

a second fork portion have a second set of times;

a second arm portion carrying the second fork portion, with the secondfork portion movable relative to the second arm portion and removablefrom the second arm portion;

a spring coupling the first and second arm portions and biasing thefirst and second arm portions to a default position; and

a guide structure coupled to the first and second arm portions to guidearcuate motion of at least one of the first and second tools relative tothe other, in a first direction away from the default position, and asecond direction toward the default position, wherein in at least oneposition other than the default position, a tip of an innermost time ofthe first fork portion contacts a tip of an innermost tine of the secondfork portion.

17. The utensil of example 16 wherein the guide structure includes apivot pin.

18. An eating utensil, comprising:

a first fork portion having a first set of tines;

a first arm portion carrying the first fork portion;

a second fork portion have a second set of times;

a second arm portion carrying the second fork portion;

a spring coupling the first and second arm portions and biasing thefirst and second arm portions to a default position; and

a guide structure coupled to the first and second arm portions to guidearcuate motion of at least one of the first and second tools relative tothe other, in a first direction away from the default position, and asecond direction toward the default position, the guide structureincluding:

-   -   a pivot pin pivotably coupling the first arm portion to the        second arm portion;    -   a guide body slideable along the first and second arm potions,        the guide body have a guide slot with a first portion of the        guide slot having a first width, and a second portion of the        guide slot having a second width less than the first width;    -   a guide stop carried by one of the first and second arm portions        and positioned to restrict motion of the guide body along the at        least one arm portion; and    -   a guide pin carried by the other of the first and second arm        portions and positioned to be received in the guide slot,        wherein:        -   the first and second arm portions are pivotable relative to            each other about the pivot pin through a first angular range            when the guide pin is positioned outside the guide slot;        -   the first and second arm portions are pivotable relative to            each other about the pivot pin through a second angular            range less than the first angular range when the guide pin            is positioned in the first portion of the guide slot; and            wherein        -   the first and second arm portions have a fixed angular            orientation relative to each other when the guide pin is            positioned in the second portion of the guide slot.

19. The utensil of example 18 wherein the pivot pin pivotably connects aflat part of the first arm portion to a flat portion of the second armportion.

20. The utensil of example 18 wherein the first and second angularranges include a position in which a tip of an innermost tine of thefirst fork portion contacts a tip of an innermost tine of the secondfork portion.

21. The utensil of example 18 wherein facing surfaces of the tips of theinnermost tines are flattened.

I claim:
 1. An eating utensil, comprising: a first tool carried by andmovable relative to a first arm portion; a second tool carried by andmovable relative to a second arm portion; a hinge coupling the first andsecond arm portions; and a guide structure coupled to the first andsecond arm portions to guide motion of at least one of the first andsecond tools relative to the other.
 2. The utensil of claim 1 whereinthe first tool includes a first portion of a fork, and wherein thesecond tool includes a second portion of a fork.
 3. The utensil of claim2 wherein the first and second arm portions are movable relative to eachother about the hinge through an angular range, and wherein the angularrange includes a position in which a tip of an innermost tine of thefirst portion of the fork portion contacts a tip of an innermost tine ofthe second portion of the fork.
 4. The utensil of claim 1 wherein thefirst and second tools are different.
 5. The utensil of claim 4 whereinthe first tool includes a spatula and the second tool includes a fork.6. The utensil of claim 4 wherein the first tool includes a cover andthe second tool includes a spoon.
 7. The utensil of claim 1 wherein atleast one of the first tool and the second tool is retractable along thecorresponding one of the first arm portion and the second arm portion.8. The utensil of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first tool and thesecond tool is removable from the corresponding one of the first armportion and the second arm portion.
 9. The utensil of claim 1 wherein atleast one of the first tool and the second tool is rotatable relative tothe corresponding one of the first arm portion and the second armportion.
 10. The utensil of claim 1 wherein an axial position of atleast one of the first tool and the second tool is adjustable relativeto the corresponding one of the first arm portion and the second armportion.
 11. The utensil of claim 1 wherein the first and second armportions are identical.
 12. The utensil of claim 1 wherein the guidestructure is positioned to restrict angular motion of at least one ofthe first and second arms portions relative to the other.
 13. Theutensil of claim 1 wherein the guide structure includes a latch carriedby one of the first and second arm portions and movable toward and awayfrom the other of the first and second arm portions.
 14. The utensil ofclaim 1 wherein the hinge includes a pivot pin.
 15. The utensil of claim1 wherein the hinge is integral with the first and second arm portions.16. An eating utensil, comprising: a first fork portion having a firstset of tines; a first arm portion carrying the first fork portion, withthe first fork portion movable relative to the first arm portion andremovable from the first arm portion; a second fork portion have asecond set of times; a second arm portion carrying the second forkportion, with the second fork portion movable relative to the second armportion and removable from the second arm portion; a spring coupling thefirst and second arm portions and biasing the first and second armportions to a default position; and a guide structure coupled to thefirst and second arm portions to guide arcuate motion of at least one ofthe first and second tools relative to the other, in a first directionaway from the default position, and a second direction toward thedefault position, wherein in at least one position other than thedefault position, a tip of an innermost time of the first fork portioncontacts a tip of an innermost tine of the second fork portion.
 17. Theutensil of claim 16 wherein the guide structure includes a pivot pin.18. An eating utensil, comprising: a first fork portion having a firstset of tines; a first arm portion carrying the first fork portion; asecond fork portion have a second set of times; a second arm portioncarrying the second fork portion; a spring coupling the first and secondarm portions and biasing the first and second arm portions to a defaultposition; and a guide structure coupled to the first and second armportions to guide arcuate motion of at least one of the first and secondtools relative to the other, in a first direction away from the defaultposition, and a second direction toward the default position, the guidestructure including: a pivot pin pivotably coupling the first armportion to the second arm portion; a guide body slideable along thefirst and second arm potions, the guide body have a guide slot with afirst portion of the guide slot having a first width, and a secondportion of the guide slot having a second width less than the firstwidth; a guide stop carried by one of the first and second arm portionsand positioned to restrict motion of the guide body along the at leastone arm portion; and a guide pin carried by the other of the first andsecond arm portions and positioned to be received in the guide slot,wherein: the first and second arm portions are pivotable relative toeach other about the pivot pin through a first angular range when theguide pin is positioned outside the guide slot; the first and second armportions are pivotable relative to each other about the pivot pinthrough a second angular range less than the first angular range whenthe guide pin is positioned in the first portion of the guide slot; andwherein the first and second arm portions have a fixed angularorientation relative to each other when the guide pin is positioned inthe second portion of the guide slot.
 19. The utensil of claim 18wherein the pivot pin pivotably connects a flat part of the first armportion to a flat portion of the second arm portion.
 20. The utensil ofclaim 18 wherein the first and second angular ranges include a positionin which a tip of an innermost tine of the first fork portion contacts atip of an innermost tine of the second fork portion.
 21. The utensil ofclaim 18 wherein facing surfaces of the tips of the innermost tines areflattened.